Two Jefferson County women, Sarah Faber and Amy Billotte, face more than 900 criminal counts each after a teenage boy in their care was found severely malnourished and reportedly dropped to about 79 pounds. School staff alerted police on Sept. 8, 2025, and medical staff at UPMC Children’s Hospital documented signs of malnutrition and physical trauma. The complaint alleges prolonged confinement, monitoring by cameras, duct-taping to the floor, threats involving clowns and insulin, and other violent punishments. Both suspects are jailed on $500,000 bail and preliminary hearings are scheduled for early January.
Two Women Face 900+ Charges After Teen Found Starved to 79 lbs. in 'Horrific' Abuse Case
Jefferson County Prison
Two women in Jefferson County, Pennsylvania, have been arrested and charged with more than 900 criminal counts each after a teenage boy in their care was discovered severely malnourished and allegedly subjected to prolonged confinement and violent abuse.
Allegations and Charges
Court records reviewed by PEOPLE show Sarah Faber, 37, has been charged with 947 counts and Amy Billotte, 51, with 959 counts. The charges include unlawful restraint of a minor, false imprisonment, aggravated assault, endangering the welfare of children, involuntary servitude, reckless endangerment and terroristic threats. Both women are being held at the Jefferson County Jail on $500,000 bail.
How the Case Came to Light
School staff reported concerns on Sept. 8, 2025, after noticing the student had lost more than 20 pounds since the prior school year and appeared extremely malnourished and dehydrated. The teen—reported to be about 15 to 16 years old during the alleged abuse—was taken to UPMC Children’s Hospital in Pittsburgh, where medical personnel documented signs of malnutrition and physical trauma. According to the complaint, his weight had fallen to about 79 pounds while in the women’s care.
Reported Conditions and Abuse
According to a criminal complaint cited by local outlets, the boy told investigators he had been confined to his bedroom nearly all day, even during summer months. The complaint alleges his movements were monitored via cameras linked to a phone app, an alarm was placed on his bedroom door, and screws were installed in window frames to restrict opening.
Additional allegations include being forced to stand for hours and exercise to the point of exhaustion, being duct-taped to the bedroom floor at night, being denied bedding and clothing, and being locked in a basement for days as punishment. The complaint also alleges the teen was pushed down stairs and cut with a knife, leaving a shoulder injury that scarred. Investigators say the suspects allegedly used clowns as a scare tactic and threatened to squirt cat insulin into his eyes.
“His bedroom had absolutely nothing in it except a bed frame and a mattress. No sheets, no bedding, no dresser, no toys, no pictures. It is just a room with nothing in it,”
Brookville Police Chief Vince Markle said, calling the case "very sad, tragic, heartbreaking" and noting the investigation had an emotional impact on officers.
Community Reaction and Next Steps
A neighbor told reporters she once saw the teen taking out the trash wearing a diaper in cold weather and said she had not realized the extent of his treatment. Preliminary hearings are scheduled for early January, according to court dockets. All allegations are from the criminal complaint and have not been proven in court.
Sources: Court records and reporting from PEOPLE, WJAC, WTAE, The Courier-Express and ExploreJeffersonPA.
